Where Healing Takes Root Session - Staying Safe in the Field: Strategies & Safety Procedures for Home Visit Safety

This presentation provides essential safety strategies and field procedures for child welfare advocates, social workers, and community volunteers conducting home visits. Dr. Travis Zimmerman, an associate professor of criminal justice with extensive experience in corrections, drug court, and self-defense, outlines a proactive three-phase safety framework covering pre-visit planning, during-visit awareness, and post-visit reporting. Key topics include environmental risk assessment, defensive parking, maintaining clear exit routes, trusting intuition, and managing hazards related to pets, communicable diseases, and active substance use. Viewers gain actionable guidance on maintaining personal safety, recognizing chemical hazards, and effectively mitigating risks while serving clients in the field.

Presenter

Travis Zimmerman, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, WVWC

Dr. Zimmerman has been a faculty member at WVWC for a decade instructing students in criminal justice theory and practice. Prior to his academic career, he spent nearly 15 years in the field of criminal justice working in youth facilities, adult corrections, and probation. He is a graduate of the West Virginia Division of Corrections Basic Academy and was a team leader for the WVDOC Crisis Negotiation Team. He also worked as a Drug Court Probation Officer conducting multiple home inspections throughout his career.